Interview with Carlyle Walker and book bash stop for The Black Song Inside

Author Bio:

Carlyle Clark was raised in Poway, a city just north of San Diego, but is now a proud Chicagolander working in the field of Corporate Security and writing crime fiction and fantasy. He has flailed ineffectually at performing the writers' requisite myriad of random jobs: pizza deliverer, curb address painter, sweatshop laborer, day laborer, night laborer, twilight laborer (of the fang-less variety), security guard, campus police, Gallup pollster, medical courier, vehicle procurer, and signature-for-petitions-getter.

He is a happily married man with two cats and a dog. He is also a martial arts enthusiast and a CrossFit endurer who enjoys fishing, sports, movies, TV series with continuing storylines, and of course, reading. Most inconsequentially, he holds the unrecognized distinction of being one of the few people in the world who have been paid to watch concrete dry in the dark. Tragically, that is a true statement.

Welcome, Carlyle. Please tell us about your current release.

The Black Song Inside was written to be a fast-paced crime thriller that was somewhat dark but often humorous with flawed protagonists you can root for as well intriguing and frightening villainous villains. Sand Diego based Private Investigators Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez, newly engaged, find themselves in an ever-tightening web of violence when Atticus’s ex-girlfriend uses a secret about Rosemary that Rosemary doesn’t even know to blackmail Atticus into helping her find her boyfriend’s killer and a fortune in drug money. The ensuing investigation pits the PIs  against Lost Lobos Locos, a street gang whose leader is Rosemary’ s little brother, outlaw bikers, an aging Mafiosi, a messianic former child-soldier turned mercenary and a cartel kingpin..

What inspired you to write this book?

I had this idea in my head about the type of story I’d like to read and that I thought other people would want to read. So many thrillers are either dark, or light and funny, and I wanted one that was frightening but also funny because that it makes it really fun to write when you’re going through the gamut of emotions, especially for multiple characters, as well as (hopefully!) fun to read.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m working on an Epic Fantasy titled The Riven Tree, and what’s exciting about it is the challenge of creating a world with multiple cultures and weave them all together in a fast-paced tale that spans multiple novels. That allows for much more development of characters and themes. I’m hoping to have The Riven Tree completed this year.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I took a creative writing class at a junior college and one of the assignments was to write a short story that would be read by the teacher without naming the writer. So I was able to study the reaction of the other class members while my story was read and they really enjoyed it. Some were literally on the edge of their seat. That’s when I thought, “Hey, maybe I’ve got something here.” Incidentally, that story was basically the rough draft of the prequel to The Black Song Inside entitled: He’s Faster.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Oh, I wish I could write full time but I’m just a work-a-day stiff. I’m the Assistant Directory of Security at a Fortune 500 company near Chicago.***Teaser Alert**I didn’t stray too far from my childhood aspirations as you’ll see at the end of the interview. Finding time to write is always a challenge. I don’t have a set schedule; it’s big chunks of the weekend and typically in the evening or super early in the morning. I’ve had to forgo the pleasure of sleeping in to find time to write.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My writing reflect some of my real world views in that I find that many horrible things can be funny if you can just cock your head and squint the right way. It’s the old if you don’t’ laugh, you’ll cry. My antagonists often “mouth” that humor, but they are dead serious about it. It’s just that they have a skewed and often scary world view that to them seems perfectly normally and it’s everyone else who’s crazy, which is always an amusing dynamic for me.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a police officer, or ***Drum Roll Please*** a Private Investigator like Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Yes, I want to thank you Lisa, for sharing your followers with me and all of you followers for sticking with this interview to the end. I hope you’ll check out my novel. It’s free through the tenth!

Thanks, Carlyle.

Author website: http://carlyleclark.wordpress.com/

Title: The Black Song Inside

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Publisher: Make Luck Press

Release Date: November 14^th, 2012

Amazon

Synopsis:

Shortlisted for the 2012 Faulkner-Wisdom Award

Newly engaged private investigators Atticus Wynn and Rosemary Sanchez have seen the dark and violent side of life. Atticus's dry wit is born of a traumatic childhood that's left him emotionally scarred and estranged from his homicide detective sister. The medals Rosemary earned during her tour of duty in Iraq are little reward for returning home to San Diego missing a leg and tormented by PTSD and her continuing failure to save her younger brother from his own violent nature. Still, nothing they've been through has prepared them for an explosive murder investigation that tests the couple's trust as they struggle to solve a case where the best result leaves them in prison or dead.

Atticus's manipulative and gorgeous ex-girlfriend, Claire, bursts back into their lives wielding a secret about Rosemary's family that she exploits to force the couple into investigating the execution-style slaying of her lover. The case thrusts Atticus and Rosemary headlong into the world of human trafficking and drug smuggling as well as rendering them pawns in Tijuana Cartel captain Armando Villanueva's bloody bid to take over the Cartel. Villanueva Machiavellian scheme sends one of his minions, Rosemary's own gangsta brother, after Atticus, and as if that weren't bad enough, Villanueva dispatches "The Priest", a former child soldier for a Colombian rebel group who is now a messianic mercenary whose religious psychosis has launched him on a trajectory that can only end in mayhem.

The Black Song Inside is a vivid crime thriller rife with the murder and madness, melded with gallows humor and the heroism of two flawed protagonists who, in struggling to unravel a skein of human suffering, learn the nature of redemption and the ability to forgive others and themselves.

Excerpt:

Rosemary suppressed a sigh. As the only child of parents who had wanted a brood, her life had been spent as the wobbly point of an inverted pyramid, forever attempting to balance the burden of hopes and expectations meant to be spread over a half-dozen children. Instead, it was only she and her adopted brother Johnny, the mayhem magnet.

“The leg I have now isn’t agile,” Rosemary said, rapping it with her knuckles. “With this new one, I can step over things, walk backward, change directions quickly. I’m no longer stuck just going one way and having a change in direction be a major ordeal. I’ll be free.”

Rosemary maneuvered the X2 case for a better view, marveling at the complexity encompassed in its artistic form. “Come take a look at it.”

Mama stayed put, offering a wan smile. “It’s very fancy.”

Mama sniffed as she levered herself out of the armchair. She pivoted toward the window and pushed the silk drape aside. The waistband of her stretch pants dented her torso. From behind, her hair-sprayed bob seemed smooth and solid, as formidable a protection as the brass dome of a deep-sea diver, the hose stretching from the helmet up to a world of stability, sameness. “So much bad weather this summer.”

Rosemary felt the urge to knead her mother’s shoulders. “You could change, Mama.”

Her mother’s neck stiffened. Still looking away, she shook her head. “I happen to like who I am.”

Ah, and there it was, the roundabout implication that Rosemary was somehow betraying Mama by being with Atticus—the only thing that had set the pyramid to wobbling as much as her joining the Army Reserves. Hadn’t Mama’s fears been grimly vindicated when an IED exploded under the Humvee she was driving? Didn’t she have an “I told you so” moment when the explosion transformed the man who’d been next to her in the front seat, Specialist First-Class Yukio Morimitu, an always smiling human being with a new bride and a child on the way, into a spatter of blood and bone clumped in her hair, clogging her ears and nose, and filling her mouth with gobbets of flesh.

Rosemary hobble-stepped to the window, leaned against the sill, and put her arm around Mama’s shoulders. Lightning flickered in the lining of steel gray clouds. “More rain coming,” Rosemary said. “Maybe you better go now.”

“I rearranged my day so I can take you to rehab. We could have lunch, relax, then go.” She studied Rosemary’s face a moment and squinted. “What? You don’t want me?”

Rosemary forced her expression to be neutral. “Of course I do, but you said you couldn’t go, so I asked Atticus.”

“So. You’d rather have him than your own mother.”

“Oh for God’s sake. I asked you to take me first. You said you were busy.”

“So Atticus can’t change his schedule?” The sky cast a greenish tinge on Mama’s face.

Here we go again, Rosemary thought. Countdown…three…two…one…

“Atticus, Atticus, always Atticus. I’m sick of hearing his name.”

“Blastoff.”

“What?” Mama blinked.

“Cape Fucking Canaveral.” Rosemary shuffled back to her bed.

Follow The Tour Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book promo stop for I Don't Sing Anymore by April Williams

I Don't Sing Anymore

by April Williams

About The Author:

April Williams was born in Bainbridge, Georgia in August of 1974. The fourth child born to her mother, a fieldworker and a father, a brick mason. When she was just a toddler, her mother relocated the family to Florida and settled in the All-American city of South Miami. April attended all the local schools including Miami-Dade Community College.

April was an active volunteer in her community. For years working on programs including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Celebrations, and many South Miami Community Outreach Gospel Programs. Along with her writing, singing she has always been a passion. She was one of the founding members for the Miracle Voice Ensemble.

Many years ago, her pen was her way of escaping some of the hard times she has faced. She discovered that she could live victoriously and help others by writing about her experiences, triumphs and pains. April’s writing brings concrete reality to the issues within the 21st Century world. She exhorts and motivates her readers to remain constant and dedicated to their passions.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Publsiher: Self-Published at CreateSpace

Release Date: July 29, 2012

Amazon

Book Description:

Josie Gibbs is a young woman who works in the cotton fields of Fowlstown, Georgia. She has had three failed relationships all producing offspring.  She only now wants to concentrate on finding a better life for her young family. But her circumstances quickly change when Keith Anderson, May’s father, result to terrifying acts of violence. She is now forced to leave and find a new life in the big city of Miami, Florida.

Keith Anderson is a war veteran who vows to be with Josie at all cost. But the demons of war he has in his mind continue to haunt him. He hasn’t had a peaceful night of sleep in spite of his addiction. His life spirals out of control when his dreams manifest to reality and will cost him everything.

May Gibbs is their daughter who will struggle with the effects of physical and sexual abuse. The path she walks is full of pain and leads her to live a joyless life. What can be done to save this creature that seemed to be doomed from the day she was born?

I Don’t Sing Anymore is a story of a family who battle through all of life’s circumstances. We don’t always know our path in life but we do have a say in how we get to live it. A heartbreaking tale drenched with every kind of emotion you can imagine.

Excerpt: Chapter Eleven

Josie was so excited that John was going to be stopping by before he headed back up to the base. She chose to put on a white sundress that draped so beautifully below her shoulders. She had her hair up in a ponytail that made her look younger. The children were outback playing with Peeps. Josie was excited when she heard the knock on the door. She opened the door to find John standing there in his uniform. The first thing John did was to pick her up in a strong bear hug and plant a nice big kiss on her lips. John was excited just to hold her again. Josie moved away from John as Mrs. Freda appeared in the living room. “Mom, this is Mr. John Flenn. Mrs. Freda did not hesitate to shake his hand. She walked over to her rocking chair and picked up the snuff can. She used to spit out her tobacco. Mrs. Freda sat quiet for a moment before she decided to ask John some questions.

“So, Mr. Flenn where are your people from?” she asked.

Well, we are originally from Attapulgus, but my father lived in Tennessee for a while.

“What does he do now?” she asked

“He is a retired Lieutenant from the Air Force.” He said.

“Are most of the men in your family military?” she asked

“Yes, we can trace our history back to the Civil War” he said.

“Well, I think that is just fine.” Mrs. Freda said,

“Thank you, my father was part of the Tuskegee Airmen.,” he said.

“Is that right?” she said.

Josie gave John a great big smile. She did not know he had a long line of military men in his family. John picked up her hand to hold in his hand.  He wanted to hold her so much, right now.

“Mr. Flenn would you like some sweet tea?” Mrs. Freda asked.

“That would be just great Mrs. Gibbs.,” he said.

As soon as she got up out of rocking chair a loud knock on the door. Josie got up to open the door. She was shocked to see the man standing there in a Sunday morning suit.

“Hello, Josie.” Keith said.

Josie just did not know what to do. She did not know whether to slam the door or just say come in. Mrs. Freda recognized the voice right away. Keith stepped inside the door without an invite. Josie nervously closed the door behind him. John stood up to shake Keith’s hand. The smirk Keith had on his face faded quickly as he shook John’s hand. Josie made the introductions.

“Keith, this is my friend Private John Flenn.,” she said as her voice cracked.

“Afternoon” Keith said.

Mrs. Freda returned from the kitchen with the glass of ice tea. She could feel the mood of the room shift, quickly.

“John this is Keith, he is May’s father,” she said.

Josie rushed from the room to wake May so that Keith would be able to hold her. Mrs. Freda’s eyes became fixated on him. She could see the vein popping out of his neck. It was obvious to her that he was furious to see Josie there with another man.

“Keith would you like some sweet tea?” she asked him.

“No, thank you.” he said with a great deal of restraint.

Josie appeared from the back and placed May in Keith’s arm. He had not seen her since the night she was born. She was big baby now. May started crying soon as Josie put her in his arms. This only infuriated Keith even more. Keith could not take it anymore. And before anyone knew it, he jumped with the baby in his arms and headed for the door.

“Where are you going with my baby?” Josie asked

“Move out of my way you whore!” he screamed.

John jumped to his feet to protect Josie and the baby.

“You are not leaving with the child.” He said.

John was careful as he grabbed Keith’s free arm.

“You better get your damn hands off me.” Keith said.

Mrs. Freda moved towards Keith and said give me the baby. You don’t want that kind of trouble.

Keith stared at the baby for a second and handed her to Mrs. Freda. John followed him out of the door.

“You ain’t nobody.” Keith shouted at John.

Josie stood at the side of her man. She was wishing that he just get in his truck and drive away. Keith did not intend to leave quietly.

“You ain’t nothing but a punk!” he continued to shout.

John did not utter a word because he did not want another confrontation. But that quickly changed when he began to curse Josie.

“Witch” he said.

John had left Josie’s side before she could call his name. Even if she had it was too late. The two men were now in a fistfight. Both men matched blow_ for_ blow. Keith being a marine had more skill. Josie could see the fight turning in favor of Keith. She was almost frozen and not knowing what to do. Mrs. Freda appeared with her shotgun and fired off one around. The two men stopped in their tracks. The children came screaming and hollering from the back. Now Mrs. Freda had her sight on Keith.

“You had better get off my property,” she said.

Keith straightened himself up and walked over to his truck. He spit on the ground just before leaving. Josie rushed to John’s side. She could see how upset he was.

“John are you O.K.?” she asked.

I’m fine!” he snapped.

Mrs. Freda did not like the way he said this.

“Young man, I think you better be leaving now, because Keith is crazy enough to comeback,” she said.

ohn walked over to his car and Josie followed with her head down. She was so embarrassed by the entire incident. John turned around to look at her in the eyes. He lifted her chin. “Haven’t I told you not to hide your beautiful eyes from me.” he said. Josie managed to give his a slight smile.

“Don’t worry it is not your fault.” he said.

He leaned forward and kissed her good-bye. Josie stood on the porch alone, retreating inside.

John was listening to music as he drove down highway 309. He was trying to calm down while listening to music. Then he noticed a truck driving up fast and close to his bumper. John began to speed up to try to get away from the truck. He kept checking his rearview mirror and finally realized that it was Keith. John felt it as Keith rammed the back of his car with the truck. John slid off the road into a ditch. He was a little bit dazed but he soon saw Keith running towards his car. Keith had lit a bottle of vodka that he had in his truck. John saw the flames gushing from the white rag. He knew he had to move quickly. John managed to get out the passenger seat window. Just as he did, he heard the bottle crash against the car. Keith realized that John had escaped the car. He ran back towards his truck to get his rifle. By the time he returned he could no longer see John in the rows of cotton that never seemed to end.

Keith spit on the ground as John’s car went up in flames. He was so proud of the fact that he had taken something from him. John stopped running somewhere in the middle of the field. He had a watchful eye as he headed back towards the road. He took off his military jacket and started walking back towards Josie’s house. He was only about six miles away and it would not take him that long. John walked at a rapid pace as he continued to look over his shoulder.

Giveaway:

3 Signed Paperbacks

Follow The Tour Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with historical fiction author Lane Heymont

Today’s guest is stopping by as he makes his way along a virtual book tour. Lane Heymont tells us a little bit about himself and his historical novel, The Freedman and the Pharaoh's Staff.

Lane will be giving away 2 specially signed paperback copies of his novel to lucky winners during his tour. You can enter using the form below the interview.

Bio:

Lane Heymont was born in Pennsylvania. He has been a lifelong reader and writer.

He earned a BA in Liberal Arts with a focus on literature and history. He also holds a double minor in psychology and business. After college, Lane turned his focus back to writing. He has several short stories published and his debut novel, The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s staff from Sunbury Press is available at all major retailers.

Welcome, Lane. Please tell us about your current release.

The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff is a historical novel set in Reconstruction-era Louisiana that bends the boundaries between science-fiction, fantasy, and American history.

Jeb, a former slave, rescues his brother-in-law Crispus from the Ku Klux Klan, pulling him into a world of Creole Voodoo, hatred, time travel, and redemption. The two brothers-in-law set out to stop Verdiss and his Klan followers from using the Pharaoh’s Staff, a magical artifact from ancient Egypt. Soon, Jeb and Crispus learn Verdiss’ diabolical plan and discover that he serves an evil far more insidious than himself. In the end, Jeb and Crispus must stop an entire people from eradication and each find redemption for his own past sins.

What inspired you to write this book?

An African-American literature class I took in undergrad.

Excerpt:

Allenville flashed in Jeb’s head. Bodies burning, people tortured and brutalized in the streets. Somehow he felt the same thoughts in Fallon. The way his slender hand tightened around his when he’d said the word. He imagined hatred blistering inside the boy. Maybe the need for a father blinded him. Thank the Lawd–that ain’t the case no more…I hope.

“Jeb. Fallon. This way. I found a mambo a few blocks away on Laurel Street.” Crispus’s voice broke through the crowd.

“Come on!” Fallon pulled Jeb through the throng of people. Crispus’s voice always sounded just beyond them, amidst the night madness of Baton Rouge. “Wait!”

“Where’d he go?” Jeb tugged on Fallon’s hand, pushing aside a doughy man.

“He took a right down Nacadian Road. Wait, Crispus!” The hideous ensemble of vendors, farriers, knackers, and other merchants crying out their goods seemed to drown out the boy’s call.

One moment, mayhem wracked the market, the next it fell silent. Fallon stopped, so Jeb did. He couldn’t move, the herd seemed to stop stampeding. Footfalls echoed in the street. The crowd spread. Then came the heavy clacks of soldier’s boots on the flagstones. A band of men, too many to tell. But Jeb knew them by the procession’s cadence–Confederate soldiers. Men clad in gray uniforms marching through Baton Rouge. No doubt, they’d be Klansmen too. Shouts of jubilation spread like wildfire among the townspeople.

“Kill them carpetbaggers!” came a woman’s elegant voice.

“Long live the general!”

“The South shall rise again!” shouted a boy.

Jeb felt the panic in Fallon’s hand, his heartbeat racing as he pulled him away. “What general? I know that cadence like I know my field.” Jeb focused on dodging whatever lay in his way, stumbling over garbage and bumping into people.

Fallon stammered over his words, “Not–not–nothing. Nathan Bedford Forrest?” He gasped, tightening his grip on Jeb.

Somehow Jeb overcame his instincts, keeping his head bowed. Not daring to look up in fear that monster of a man would see him. Though blind, Jeb saw Forrest clad in the gray Confederate officer’s uniform, adorned with medals. He’d seen photos of him. Tall, in his fifties, a receding hairline and a curly mane of black hair. A well-kept goatee tinged gray like his uniform.

I can end it all. Fight through the crowd. A single shot to the head. To hell with being blind, I can do it. For a moment Jeb meant it, caressing his pistol. It’d be easy. Instead, he listened to the Ku Klux Klan founder, savior of the white race, and ender of Reconstruction, parade along the street. Celebrated by a throng of who knew how many people. They were closer now, close enough for Jeb to count them. Four guards following him. Plus Forrest, that’s five. Six shot pistol. Just enough for one miss. He gripped his pistol. It didn’t matter that the crowd loved Forrest, even cheered him on. Six rounds is enough. Jeb edged his pistol free from its holster.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Right now, I'm working on a literary novel called Scattering Stars, in which a convicted killer returns home to try to mend his relationship with his sister and nephew, while trying to deal with the guilt of what he may or may not have done.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I was always a writer, but a published writer when my short story “The Lost Continent” was published in Innsmouth Magazine.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I do write full-time, though I do some extra work on the side.

My day usually consists of writing! I'm up early, relax for a little to let the creative juices gear up and then hit the laptop.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I slouch in my chair. I don't know if anyone else does it, but it's so comfortable!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An author. Cliché, I know.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Before trying to enter the business, do your research. It's as complicated as any other business. Unless you're already "famous" no one is going to hand you a book deal (usually). Research how publishing works, how agents work, the difference between a wholesaler and distributor. You'd be surprised how people couldn't tell you!

Also, I'd like to thank Lisa for letting come on answer these great questions. Thanks so much!

My pleasure, Lane. It’s been nice to meet you. Happy touring!

Website | Facebook | Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with inspirational author Blanca Beyar

Blanca Beyar is an inspirational writer who is currently doing a virtual book tour for her newest book, Attributes of Mastery. She'll be giving away a signed copy of her book at the end of the tour. You can enter to win below.

Bio:

Blanca, who is known as Lavayna to her students, has been a vessel for healing for over 11 years. Her passion for spirituality began when she was intrigued by a talk-show that was discussing angelic communications. Curious to see what would happen, Blanca attempted to communicate with her angel and to her utter surprise, succeeded. This was the beginning of a life-long mission and purpose for Blanca to be of divine service.

In her quest to assist humanity in their healing process, Blanca has composed and self-published six titles: “The Path That Leads the Way,”“The Path to Self-Realization,” “Mastering the Language of the Universe,” “Goddess Mother Speaks,” “The Little Book of Life,” “Love...The Only Reason,” which hit #1 in Amazon.com best new Releases.

Throughout her spiritual mission, Blanca has mentored and attuned over 100 students in the art of Reiki healing. Today, she has devoted students of the Spiritual Path around the world. Through her books, website, and newsletters, she continually inspires humanity to expand their spiritual potential.

Throughout her years of teaching and mentoring, Blanca has used many of her life’s experiences to inspire and assist countless of individuals to abandon the role of “victimization” and instead, to embrace the experiences as gifts of growth. For the first time, in her greatest composition yet, Attributes of Mastery, Blanca boldly shares many of her traumatic life experiences and teaches readers how to persevere against all odds with grace and spiritual mastery.

In addition to offering her books and mentoring, Blanca is also a gifted Empath and Medium. She has presently limited her private practice in order to focus on reaching the masses with her workshops and book events.

Welcome, Blanca. Please tell us about your current release.

I feel so excited and accomplished about releasing Attributes of Mastery because it is not only a self-help book; it is also a testimonial of my own challenges in life and how we can surely transform our greatest struggles into attributes of strength to pursue our purpose in life. I believe that readers will be able to identify with many of the life experiences that I share and recognize that we have a choice in life: to remain a victim to life’s circumstances or to allow ourselves to use them as a stepping stone for growth, for healing and for our life’s calling.

What inspired you to write this book?

I usually receive inspiration to write a book through my spiritual connection to the Source. I usually do not “plan” to write a book...but rather, am gently nudged to compose a book on a given subject. When I received the inspiration to compose Attributes of Mastery, and was guided to reveal some of the most intimate and challenging moments of my life, I hesitated. Yet, as I contemplated, I realized how many times people would often say to me that I was gifted and lucky to have been born with such a strong spirituality, not taking into account that it was truly my challenges in life that created the opportunities to grow and to unveil my spirituality.

My greatest endeavor is for readers to also recognize that it is time to consider whether holding on to toxic emotions is really working for them and allowing them to achieve happiness and peace. The 21 attributes presented in this book are a foundation and blueprint that can truly assist us in reaching a new level of “being and of living.”

Excerpt:

Love has no boundaries or barriers. Love has no exceptions or limitations. The energy of Love is what sustains this existence in place because no matter how much we feed opposing energies, as a collective humanity, we all experience and express love, whether consciously or subconsciously. No matter how disturbed our lives may be or the world around us, there is not one day that goes by that we do not experience and express love! It must be so, for, this is the true essence of what we are made of.

What exciting project are you working on next?

One of the “inspirations” that has come to me recently is to compose a book about all the miraculous accounts that I have witnessed both as a healer and a medium. There are no words to describe the bliss and reverence that I feel when a “Validation” is made through a healing session or an afterlife seminar. It is impossible to deny the powers of spirit when someone experiences healing from a physical ailment or emotional blockage or when a beloved one who has transcended, steps forward with a message of hope and comfort.

My hopes in composing a book on these subjects is to invite people to explore the healing modalities and to realize that we can truly experience a miraculous healing if we are opened and willing to explore beyond the limited beliefs of physicality.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

If someone would have told me in my teens that I was going to write books, I would have laughed hysterically. I had absolutely no desire to write and actually flirted with the idea of becoming a lawyer when I was in high school.

The first realization that my writing was meaningful to others occurred as I harnessed my writing skills as a contributing writer for an internet spiritual website. I began to receive emails with questions about spirituality and positive comments about my articles and it was then that I noticed that this was passion that I needed to expand on.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

In addition to writing, I dedicate myself to offering workshops and seminars and I also still work closely with my students. However, when I am presented with an inspiration to write a book, it becomes like an obsession! I will stay up to late hours in the night and sometimes block my schedule to other obligations in order to work on a manuscript. Once the flow of writing begins, it is difficult to focus on anything else. On average, I usually finish a book within weeks.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Some writers need to separate themselves from noise and society, so to speak, in order to focus on writing. I, on the other hand, love to write to music. What is interesting about this quirk is that I will often listen to “club music” instead of serene spa music! I love to feel the beats of drums and fast paced music as I write because it sparks my passion.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As I mentioned earlier, I flirted with the idea of becoming a lawyer, but the goal behind this idea was because I wanted to help people. As a child, I remember spending hours upon hours, sitting with all my teddy bears and dolls, sitting them on my bed and imagining that they were clients in need of help. I would have a chair next to me and sit one of my dolls on it and ask, “How can I help you?” I would imagine that just by speaking with them, I was able to help! Although I never associated this form of playing with a vocation, my family would often say that I was going to be a social worker.

I feel blessed and honored to have led to becoming a holistic healer and guru. Over the years, I have met so many beautiful angels and my life has been tremendously touched by so much love. If I had to do it over again, I would chose to be who I am over and over again.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Our world as we know it has been changing and shifting—especially over the last few decades. We are entering an epic time of our existence where we will all have the opportunity to clean our slates—the foundation that we stand on. It is truly time for each of us to recognize that we all have a great potential to not only experience life from a state of purpose and love, but that we also all possess unique attributes that are geared to help others. If you are hungry to experience a shift in your life, I humbly invite you to consider reading Attributes of Mastery.

Thanks, Blanca. Readers, here's where you can enter to win a signed copy of Attributes of Mastery: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with historical and fantasy novelist Adrianna Morgan

I'm happy to introduce historical romance and fantasy author Adrianna Morgan today. She's doing a virtual book tour for her novel Once Upon A Fairytale Princess.

Bio:

Adrianna Morgan was born in the Bahamas. Of both West Indian and African ancestry, she was exposed to the shadowy world of the supernatural at a young age. She was blessed with a mother that knew the importance of a good ghost story making her fascinated by anything that goes bump in the night. Adrianna is obsessed with werewolves, vampires and demons, oh my! A Marine Biology teacher by day, she is still intrigued by the weird and the unusual.

Currently, she has 10 books on Amazon and has challenged herself to write one full novel per month this year, although she admits she is ready to throw in the towel. Almost.

Adrianna writes urban fantasy, erotica, and romance. Visit her at http://adriannamorgan.com for more of her books.

Welcome, Adrianna. Please tell us about your current release.

Once Upon A Fairytale Princess is based upon the premise that all the fairytales we know are snippets of one woman’s life. The Princess, in this case, is a noblewoman by the name of Ella Fitzpatrick, whose family has lost everything. To make ends meet, she quietly works as a seamstress until her father boasts that she is so good, she could probably spin straw into gold. Cue the royal family hearing of the claim and putting her to the test. The book also contains elements of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, and Snow White, with a bit of magic thrown in.

Blurb:

In a matter of moments, Ella Fitzpatrick’s life went from bad to worse. Her father’s boast pits her against every seamstress in the village all vying for the ultimate prize—guest of honor at the Prince’s ball. Once there, Ella catches the eye of the charming prince and manages to make a powerful enemy; one who is not above using magic to aid her quest. Now Ella is on the run, chasing the very villain who killed her mother ten years ago and who may be trying to kill her now. The only thing stopping Ella is her lack of knowledge about her own magical background—and Hunter, the Prince’s brooding bodyguard. Hunter Kirk has been in love with Ella since she promised to marry him when they were children. Now she is pledged to his Prince and someone might be trying to kill her. He has to get to her before the last Fitzpatrick sorceress is killed—and he loses his chance to tell her how much he loves her.

What inspired you to write this book?

I love fairytales. I always have. Fairytales gave me the ability, as a kid, to traverse foreign lands and play with magic. It had always been something which fascinated me. As I grew older, my love of fairytales did not diminish, instead I moved on to encompass world mythology, finally adding it as a concentration to my Biology degree in college. I wanted to write a book in which all the fairytale characters knew each other and were perhaps friends and the book evolved into this one.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Right now, I am working on a new series titled, “The House of Valnak.” I am going back to my fantasy roots and reinventing (I hope) the vampire genre, just a bit. The first book is called Reyna: The Assassin and is a bit like “Underworld” meets “Van Helsing” with a bit more romance and treachery.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I still don’t. I still get a bit uncomfortable when someone introduces me as a writer. Writers write because it is a job. I do it because I love it. I guess I could say I became a writer the minute I finished my first book and make a concerted effort to get it published. But even now, I still get flustered hearing my name and “writer” in the same sentence.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I do not write full time. I am a high school teacher by day and a full-time doctoral graduate student. I would like to add that I am a mother, but since my only child has four legs, that may be stretching it a bit. I have a very intense schedule and as such, everything has to be written down and penciled in. I try to write (on average) about 5 pages per day, even if it is pure drivel, I can always sort through it later. On weekends, I try to double-up and in between doctoral papers and grading papers for my own students, I try to write at least one chapter. Needless to say, I spend a lot of time at the computer!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Most of my stories have a fairytale at the core. If you look closely you’ll see it there, nestled cozily. I’ve also been told I speak like a teenager. I guess I am around them so often, it rubs off. *sigh*

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Apart from the classics (doctor, lawyer, astronaut and teacher) I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. Even studied Marine Biology in college. Got out into the real world and realized that most Marine Biologists are glorified lab assistants and technicians. If I wanted to work with Shamu, I should’ve studied Psychology in college (according to SeaWorld)?

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Books two and three of my “Blue Moon” trilogy will be released December 2012 and January 2013, respectively.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing a little bit about yourself and your writing. Happy touring!